Hybrid Twin Vertical Plate (TVP) Tube/Wire Frame

ABSTRACT

A tube/wire frame that is functional and cost effective to manufacture. A tube or solid wire section is manufactured for the main purpose of creating an attractive look. This upper tube or solid wire section also helps to strengthen the top of the CNC manufactured TVP plate. The CNC manufactured TVP plate is a cost effectively manufactured pair of plates. These CNC manufactured TVP plates and tube/wire frame are then cost effectively attached to each other providing a cost effective complete one piece frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 61/008,778, filed Dec. 22, 2007, for HYBRID TWIN VERTICAL TUBE/WIRE FRAME, by Kevin A. Guhman, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toy car and truck chassis/frame and, more particularly, to a tube/wire frame that is easy to manufacture

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Remote control rock crawlers have become very popular in the last couple of years. One popular style of frame for these vehicles is a tube frame. These frames look very different from the standard frames that where being used. The tube frames are constructed from tube or round solid wire to make a frame. These are very difficult to produce cost effectively on a mass scale. In addition, it was not easy to cost effectively and accurately place the critical mounting locations for the skid plate, shocks, links and other critical components.

The standard frames being used where called Twin Vertical Plate frames (TVP's). The TVP frames are just two plates oriented vertically and spaced apart from each other. The advantage of the twin vertical plate design is that it is easy to accurately manufacture on a mass scale using a CNC milling machine, a CNC water jet, a CNC laser machine or other types of CNC machinery. The tube frames are very difficult to manufacture on a mass scale and to obtain a high level of accuracy for the link, shock, etc. hole locations. A solution that could help facilitate manufacturing on a mass scale and dramatically reduce the cost of a tube frame was needed.

Prior art tube frames have a frame that is mostly or completely made of tube. The sections of the frame that must be accurate for the mounting of shocks, links, skid plates and other components are difficult to manufacture with a high degree of accuracy. These frames typically have a small piece of tube welded to the tube frame itself that would be used to pass a screw through to mount the shocks, links, skid plate and other components. Some manufacturers use a small CNC manufactured piece that would only provide for attaching the shocks, skid plate, or links separately. This technique still required a complex jig and made it difficult to accurately locate the hole locations for the critical components of the truck like the skid plate, shocks, links and other components.

It would be advantageous to provide a tube or solid wire frame that is easy to manufacture.

It would also be advantageous to provide a tube or solid wire frame that has a lower section that is easy to manufacture accurately.

It would further be advantageous to provide a tube or solid wire frame that has an upper section made of tube or solid wire that is easy to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tube or solid wire frame that is functional and cost effective to manufacture. A tube or solid wire section is manufactured for the main purpose of creating an attractive look. This upper tube or solid wire section also helps to strengthen the lower section. The lower section is a cost effectively manufactured pair of plates that are also dimensionally accurate. These lower sections and tube or solid wire section are then cost effectively attached to each other providing a cost effective frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a left view of a complete one piece frame;

FIG. 2 is a left view of a cnc lower section;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a complete one piece frame;

FIG. 4 is a left view of a complete one piece frame with axle assembly, skid plate, transmission, links, and shocks;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a complete one piece frame with axle assembly, skid plate, transmission, links, and shocks;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment with tabs attached to the tube/wire frame, and hardware is used to attach the cnc manufactured tvp plate; and

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment with sections of tube attached to the tube/wire frame, and hardware is used to attach the cnc manufactured tvp plate.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a left view of a complete one piece frame 14. This is a complete one piece frame 14 that has the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 attached to the tube/wire frame 12 by means of a weld or other means 16.

FIG. 2 is a CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. The top of this plate is where the weld or other means 16 is located when the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 and the tube/wire frame 12 are joined. The holes 26 in the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 are used to mount the critical vehicle components such as the shocks 18, links 20, skid plate 22, etc.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the complete one piece frame 14. This is a complete one piece frame 14 that has the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 attached to the tube/wire frame 12 by means of a weld or other means 16.

FIG. 4 is a left view of the complete one piece frame 14 with axle assembly 28, skid plate 22, transmission 30, links 20, and shocks 18. This shows an almost complete truck minus the tires and wheels. This shows the placement of the vital components of the truck (the links 20, shocks 18, skid plate 22, etc) on the accurately produced CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. Hardware 24 is used to attach the vital components to the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the complete one piece frame 14 with axle assembly 28, skid plate 22, transmission 30, links 20, and shocks 18. This shows an almost complete truck minus the tires and wheels. This shows the placement of the vital components of the truck (the links 20, shocks 18, skid plate 22, etc) on the accurately produced CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. Hardware 24 is used to attach the vital components to the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the alternative embodiment with tabs 32 attached to the tube/wire frame 12, and hardware 24 is used to attach the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. The CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 is not permanently attached to the tube/wire frame 12, but instead is attached with hardware 24 or other non permanent means. Tabs 32 are attached to the lower part of the tube/wire frame 12. Hardware 24 is then used to attach the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 to the tube/wire frame 12.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the alternative embodiment with sections of tube 34 attached to the tube/wire frame 12, and hardware 24 is used to attach the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. The CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 is not permanently attached to the tube/wire frame 12, but instead is attached with hardware 24 or other non permanent means. Sections of tube 34 are attached to the lower part of the tube/wire frame 12. Hardware 24 is then used to attach the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 to the tube/wire frame 12.

In operation the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 provides for accurate positioning of the critical vehicle components such as the links 20, shocks 18, skid plate 22, etc. The tube/wire frame 12 helps to considerably strengthen the top of the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. The tube/wire frame 12 is aesthetically pleasing. The weld or other means 16 rigidly connects the tube/wire frame 12 with the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10. The hardware 24 provides a means to join the critical vehicle components such as the links 20, shocks 18, skid plate 22, etc to the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10.

In operation, FIG. 6 shows how hardware 24 can be used to attach a CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 to a tube/wire frame 12. Tabs 32 are attached to the tube/wire frame 12 with weld or other means 16. Hardware 24 is then used to attach the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 to the tabs 32.

In operation, FIG. 7 shows how hardware 24 can be used to attach a CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 to a tube/wire frame 12. Sections of tube 34 are attached to the tube/wire frame 12 with weld or other means 16. Hardware 24 is then used to attach the CNC manufactured TVP plate 10 to the sections of tube 34.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame for easily manufacturing a tube/wire frame for toy vehicles, comprising: means for accurately locating the critical components of the truck such as the skidplate, upper and lower links, and shocks; means for mainly aesthetics but also to help support and stengthen the cnc manufactured tvp plates; means for aesthetics, manufacturing ease, and dimensional accuracy; means for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame, rigidly connected to said means for mainly aesthetics but also to help support and stengthen the cnc manufactured tvp plates, and rigidly connected to said means for accurately locating the critical components of the truck such as the skidplate, upper and lower links, and shocks; means for attaching critical components such as links, shocks, skip plate, etc to the cnc manufactured tvp plate; means for attaching critical components such as shocks, links, skid plate, etc by passing hardware through the hole and then into or through the critical components, detachably fastened to said means for attaching critical components such as links, shocks, skip plate, etc to the cnc manufactured tvp plate, and integrally embedded to said means for accurately locating the critical components of the truck such as the skidplate, upper and lower links, and shocks; means for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame; and means for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame.
 2. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for accurately locating the critical components of the truck such as the skidplate, upper and lower links, and shocks comprises a dimensionally accurate, cost effectively manufactured cnc manufactured tvp plate.
 3. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for mainly aesthetics but also to help support and stengthen the cnc manufactured tvp plates comprises an aesthetically pleasing, metal, composite, plastic, other materials tube/wire frame.
 4. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for aesthetics, manufacturing ease, and dimensional accuracy comprises a complete one piece frame.
 5. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame comprises a weld or other means.
 6. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching critical components such as links, shocks, skip plate, etc to the cnc manufactured tvp plate comprises a hardware.
 7. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching critical components such as shocks, links, skid plate, etc by passing hardware through the hole and then into or through the critical components comprises a holes.
 8. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame comprises a tabs.
 9. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame comprises a sections of tube.
 10. A hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame for easily manufacturing a tube/wire frame for toy vehicles, comprising: a dimensionally accurate, cost effectively manufactured cnc manufactured tvp plate, for accurately locating the critical components of the truck such as the skidplate, upper and lower links, and shocks; an aesthetically pleasing, metal, composite, plastic, other materials tube/wire frame, for mainly aesthetics but also to help support and stengthen the cnc manufactured tvp plates; a complete one piece frame, for aesthetics, manufacturing ease, and dimensional accuracy; a weld or other means, for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame, rigidly connected to said tube/wire frame, and rigidly connected to said CNC manufactured TVP plate; a hardware, for attaching critical components such as links, shocks, skip plate, etc to the cnc manufactured tvp plate; a holes, for attaching critical components such as shocks, links, skid plate, etc by passing hardware through the hole and then into or through the critical components, detachably fastened to said hardware, and integrally embedded to said CNC manufactured TVP plate; a tabs, for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame; and a sections of tube, for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame.
 11. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame as recited in claim 10, wherein said cnc manufactured tvp plate has characteristics selected from the following group: metal, composite, plastic, and other materials.
 12. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame as recited in claim 10, wherein said tube/wire frame is cost effectively manufactured.
 13. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame as recited in claim 11, wherein said tube/wire frame is cost effectively manufactured.
 14. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame as recited in claim 10, wherein said weld or other means has characteristics selected from the following group: hardware, weld, and other attachment means.
 15. The hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame as recited in claim 10, wherein said sections of tube has characteristics selected from the following group: round, and metal.
 16. A hybrid twin vertical plate (tvp) tube/wire frame for easily manufacturing a tube/wire frame for toy vehicles, comprising: a dimensionally accurate, cost effectively manufactured, metal, composite, plastic, other materials cnc manufactured tvp plate, for accurately locating the critical components of the truck such as the skidplate, upper and lower links, and shocks; an aesthetically pleasing, cost effectively manufactured, metal, composite, plastic, other materials tube/wire frame, for mainly aesthetics but also to help support and stengthen the cnc manufactured tvp plates; a complete one piece frame, for aesthetics, manufacturing ease, and dimensional accuracy; a hardware, weld, other attachment means weld or other means, for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame, rigidly connected to said tube/wire frame, and rigidly connected to said CNC manufactured TVP plate; a hardware, for attaching critical components such as links, shocks, skip plate, etc to the cnc manufactured tvp plate; a holes, for attaching critical components such as shocks, links, skid plate, etc by passing hardware through the hole and then into or through the critical components, detachably fastened to said hardware, and integrally embedded to said CNC manufactured TVP plate; a tabs, for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame; and a round, metal sections of tube, for attaching the cnc manufactured tvp plate to the tube/wire frame. 